Author Archives: hksar gov

     As at noon today (August 25), the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has conducted tests on radiological level of 138 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found at CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
     
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological tests. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found at AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
     
     Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly was detected so far. For details, please refer to HKO’s website (www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From 24 August to noon today, CFS and AFCD have conducted tests on radiological level of 253 samples of food imported from Japan and 100 samples of local catch respectively.  All the samples passed the tests. read more

     The Award Ceremony of Most Improved Trainees of the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) 2023 cum Concert, co-organised by the Labour Department (LD) and Radio 2 of Radio Television Hong Kong, was held today (August 25) to commend the distinguished trainees of the YETP, which is a programme run by the LD. The award ceremony was themed “Fly with YETP”. Most Improved Trainees Awards were presented to 10 outstanding trainees who achieved significant improvements in personal development, leadership or work performance during the training period. Merit Awards were also given to 10 other trainees to encourage them to work hard in realising their career goals.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said that young people are the future of society. The YETP of the LD has been co-operating with social partners to assist young people in creating extraordinary career journeys by supporting them to enter the labour market and master work skills, thereby boosting their employment competitiveness. 

     Mr Sun also expressed gratitude to stakeholders for the efforts they made for the trainees. He pointed out that the advancement of the awardees had not come easy. Apart from their own dedication, the concerted efforts of employers, service providers and case managers in providing them with work opportunities and assistance were indispensable. He encouraged young people to equip themselves and seize every opportunity during their career journey to contribute to the future of Hong Kong and the development of the nation.

     The YETP is open to young school leavers aged 15 to 24 with educational attainment at a sub-degree level or below. Enrolment in the YETP is free of charge. Services offered include pre-employment training, workplace attachment training, on-the-job salaried training and case management services provided by registered social workers.

     For details, please visit the YETP’s website at www.yes.labour.gov.hk. The LD has also set up a Youth Employment Services hotline at 2112 9932 to provide a one-stop enquiry service regarding the programme and receive registrations of on-the-job training vacancies from employers.

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     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opera Hong Kong 20th Anniversary Opera Gala today (August 25):
      
Dr Moses Cheng (Founding Chairman of Opera Hong Kong), Mr Ronald Kwok (Chairman of Opera Hong Kong), Dr Warren Mok (Artistic Director of Opera Hong Kong), distinguished guests, fellow opera enthusiasts, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     It is with great pleasure that I address you on this momentous occasion. This evening’s Opera Gala celebrates the 20th anniversary of Opera Hong Kong. I extend my warmest congratulations to Opera Hong Kong for staging this milestone programme.
      
     I am sure you are all thrilled to be here at Hong Kong City Hall, to witness the harmonious convergence of 30 established artists from the Mainland and Hong Kong to grace the stage. They will present remarkable arias and ensembles, from various repertoires that have been masterfully produced by Opera Hong Kong throughout its history.
      
     Over the past two decades, Opera Hong Kong has been the driving force behind the development and promotion of opera in the region, bringing world-class operatic experiences to our city. Since Opera Hong Kong’s inception in 2003, the Government has long been giving its solid support, including a long-term partnership with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and support from different funding schemes. Opera Hong Kong has nurtured and showcased local talent while collaborating with outstanding artists, opera houses and festivals from around the world.
      
     The National 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong’s development into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Hong Kong Government is committed to expediting the progression of Hong Kong’s arts and cultural scenes. With the help from industry leaders, we are mapping out a Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, to enhance the ecosystem for the sector.
      
     Opera Hong Kong has made a significant contribution in this regard with its unwavering commitment to fostering artistic excellence and encouraging cultural exchanges.
      
     In the light of the rapidly evolving arts scene, I look forward to Opera Hong Kong’s continuous effort in engaging the next generation of opera enthusiasts, while keeping up with its excellent work.
      
     I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to Opera Hong Kong’s success – the talented performers, the passionate supporters, and the dedicated organisers. I have no doubt that Opera Hong Kong will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead.
      
     On that note – a very high note – I wish you an enjoyable evening with Opera Gala. Thank you. read more

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at the opening ceremony of the 18th Congress of Asian Society of Transplantation today (August 25):
 
Dr Ghazali Ahmad (President of the Asian Society of Transplantation), Dr Maggie Ma (President of the Hong Kong Society of Transplantation), Professor John Fung (President-Elect of The Transplantation Society), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to mark the opening ceremony of the 18th Congress of Asian Society of Transplantation. As we gather here, embracing a collaborative spirit to advance the field of organ transplantation in Asia, I want to highlight three points.
      
     First of all, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I want to extend my warmest welcome to all our guests from abroad. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Hong Kong Society of Transplantation and the Asian Society of Transplantation for organising and bringing this event to Hong Kong. This is particularly exciting because the last Congress in 2021 was held as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 epidemic and this is the first time after the control of the epidemic that we can have this valuable opportunity to gather physically for a face-to-face conference. I am sure that you will all make the best use of the Congress to embrace knowledge, and to forge lasting connections. But I would like to encourage each and every one of you to make use of this opportunity to explore the vibrant and dynamic metropolis of Hong Kong and enjoy the beautiful view of the harbour, the world-class shopping, our famous culinary delights and many more.
 
     Secondly, as a transplant surgeon myself, I am proud to say that organ transplantation is a medical marvel that offers a new lease of life to those suffering from end-stage organ failure. I urge everyone to prioritise advancements in research as the field of organ transplant continues to evolve rapidly, pushing the boundaries of what was once deemed impossible. Through our collective efforts in cutting-edge research, we will be able to witness groundbreaking advancements in surgical techniques, donor-recipient matching, transplant immunology, transplant oncology, post-transplant care and many more. These innovations have transformed countless lives and restored hope to individuals and their families. The Congress of Asian Society of Transplantation provides a unique platform for sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and establishing collaborations to promote innovations. We have the opportunity to learn from esteemed experts and pioneers in the field in order to explore new avenues for research, refine our clinical practices, and strengthen our ethical and legal frameworks. Together we shape the future of transplantation in Asia.
 
     Finally, as a health official, I call on not only the healthcare professionals but the whole community to address the issue of organ shortage collectively and find sustainable solutions. Despite the significant progress made in organ transplantation, Asia, being the largest and most populous continent, has continued to face this unique challenge. The demand far exceeds the supply, resulting in long waiting lists where people’s lives are hanging in the balance.
      
     It is essential for every society to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage individuals to make informed decisions. Education plays a pivotal role in dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding organ transplantation. We need to emphasise that organ donation is a noble act that saves lives based on altruism and donor autonomy. We also need to improve the infrastructure and legal framework surrounding organ transplantation. This includes developing robust systems for organ procurement and establishing transparent systems for organ allocation. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public is crucial.
      
     I want to take this opportunity to share with you a unique experience with collaboration across a boundary in a miraculous heart transplant that saved the life of a 4-month-old baby. Last December, a then 4-month-old baby girl in Hong Kong, Tsz-hei, suffered from progressive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy and needed a heart transplant to survive. As you can imagine, it would be literally impossible to find an infant donor heart that is suitable for her given the small donor pool in Hong Kong. For the first time, the Government of the HKSAR sought assistance from the Central Government and the National Health Commission. An emergency response plan was immediately formulated through collaboration between the China Organ Transplant Response System and the HKSAR. Miraculously, on December 16, a heart from a brain-dead infant donor of compatible size and blood group was available in Guangdong and there was no suitable local recipient. An unprecedented special arrangement was made to transport the organ to Hong Kong for a successful transplantation to Tsz-hei. Thanks to the benevolence of the donor’s parents and the collaborative effort of the Mainland and local authorities and healthcare professionals, she recovered very well. Last month, I visited her on her first birthday and it was a most heartening moment.
      
     Tsz-hei sets the record as the youngest patient undergoing a heart transplant in Hong Kong. More importantly, she is also the very first case of cross-boundary transplantation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The collaboration has fully demonstrated the importance of organ sharing and manifested the shared principle of putting peoples’ lives first in both our motherland and Hong Kong with considerable social and medical impact.
      
     The success also bears testament to the remarkable progress and achievements that have been made in organ donation and transplantation in Mainland China in recent years. Since the promulgation of the nationwide ban on using organs from executed prisoners on January 1, 2015, the Mainland China has been committed to promoting voluntary organ donation from citizens as the sole legal source of donor organs. The China Organ Transplant Response System established a robust and transparent system for organ procurement and allocation, as well as monitoring and quality assurance in transplant services. As a result, the number of organ donations and transplantations in China has grown rapidly, currently ranking first in Asia and second in the world in the number of organ transplantation. In 2022, even with the COVID-19 epidemic, there were 5 628 cadaveric organ donors, and nearly 18 000 cases of organ transplantation in total.   
      
     Taking reference from the successful experience of Tsz-hei’s case, the HKSAR is actively exploring the setting-up of a standing second-tier mutual assistance mechanism for organ transplant with the Mainland. The mechanism will allow donated organs in Hong Kong and the Mainland to be better utilised when no suitable recipients can be identified in the respective place, thus maximising the utility to achieve the biggest benefit. We set an example for regional collaboration in saving the first patient and now we are in the process of creating a system to rescue more.
      
     All lives are priceless and equally precious. By fostering a deeper understanding of organ donation and transplantation within our communities, we can dispel myths, eliminate misconceptions and disinformation, and inspire more individuals to join the forces of organ donors. 
      
     In closing, ladies and gentlemen, the opening of the 18th Congress of Asian Society of Transplantation marks a pivotal moment in our collective pursuit to advance the field of transplantation. May this Congress be a resounding success and I wish everyone a most rewarding and enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

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     The Government today (August 25) announced the establishment of the Fishermen Claims Appeal Board (FCAB) to process ex-gratia allowance (EGA) appeal cases by owners of fishing vessels (exceeding 15 metres in length) who are affected by marine works projects in Hong Kong waters.

     The FCAB is a non-statutory body set up on an ad hoc basis and comprising one non-official Chairman and four non-official members. Mr Yeung Ming-tai has been appointed as the Chairman of the FCAB and the members are Mr Au Pak-ching, Dr Chung Shan-shan, Mr James Kong and Mr Tam Kin-lok. These appointments take immediate effect. Their term will last until the completion of work on all appeals.

     The Government has put in place a mechanism to grant EGA to owners of fishing vessels affected by marine works projects, subject to the fulfilment of certain eligibility criteria. An interdepartmental working group (IWG) within the Government has been set up to handle EGA applications from owners of fishing vessels arising from a total of 119 marine works projects in Hong Kong waters, and received a total of 148 applications during the registration period. EGA applicants feeling aggrieved at the decisions made by the IWG concerning the EGA amount offered to them or about their eligibility may lodge appeals to the FCAB. Three EGA applicants filed appeals against the IWG’s decision (on their eligibility). These appeals will be heard by the FCAB. 

     The terms of reference of the FCAB are: 
 

• to hear and consider the appeals against the decisions of the IWG relating to the appellants’ eligibility for EGA and/or the amount of EGA granted under the Government policy on granting EGA to owners of fishing vessels affected by marine works projects; and
• having examined any new or additional information/evidence provided by the appellants (or their representatives) or the relevant departments, the relevance of and the weight to be given to such information/evidence, to consider whether to uphold the IWG’s decisions on the appellants’ cases or to revise the decisions, and to determine the amount of EGA payable to the appellants, as appropriate.

     
     The secretariat of the FCAB will be housed in the Lands Department. read more